Chapter 37
Blink looked at the staircase uneasily, wondering what was going on and why Spot and Bristles still hadn't come down. Was something wrong? He was worried.
Sunny saw the newsie's face, and although she was worried too, she had to do her best to let Blink settle down.
"I saw Spot going up the staircase, we awl did. If wese thought dat he was gonna do sometin bad, we would nevah have let him up. Don't worry, alright?"
Blink looked at her, her smiling face, and forgot about worrying. He hugged her right there in front of the other newsies, ignoring the whistles and hoots, then smiled back. Sunny was slightly red, but extremely happy. She took him out of the room, with everyone watching. Jack and Race snickered in between their game of poker.
"Looks like I'm gonna havta pay Sarah a visit. Or else you'se awl gonna catch up to me," Jack remarked, looking at his cards, and Race, chewing on an unlighted cigar, and sorting out his pairs, said, "Nah, derez still me and Hope, rememba?"
They laughed and groaned at the same time as one of the newsies won the game with a royal flush, and all the other players complained as the winner took the large pile of coins and cigars on the table.
"Dat's my pay foah sellin awl dose papes in da past week!" Mush muttered.
At this point Blink and Sunny came back, a dazed look on Blink's face as he found his way to a seat. Everyone roared and slapped him on the back in congratulations.
The newsie stuttered in embarrassment that nothing had happened, then put his hand in his pocket for some money so that he could join in the new game of poker. His fingers found instead a folded envelope, and Blink remembered when Bristles' father had put it in his pocket and told him to give it to her. How could he forget something so important? He had an urge to read it but resisted. Sunny had already sat down next to him, and he pocketed the letter, reminding himself to give it to Bristles later.
Jack heard a door slam from the second floor, then footsteps. He knew who was coming. Immediately, Bristles and Spot appeared in the room, all of the newsies looked at them, but went back to their activities. Not many knew what had been going on with Bristles, and if no one would tell them, they wouldn't bother being nosy to find out. Newsies didn't do that. The few that knew, however, were extremely relieved that the two had made up. They looked around, then, after whispering something to each other, separated and sat down with their own friends. Jack asked Mush to take his place in the game, and walked out of the room with Spot. Bristles saw, but didn't mind. She was busy enough telling Hope and Sunny what happened.
***
The two leaders of the Manhattan and Brooklyn newsies, no wonder the two were good friends. They were leaning against the stone wall of the Lodging House. Jack smoked a cigarette, and handed it to Spot, who shook his head.
"So how'd it go?" Jack finally asked, smirking. Spot grinned.
"Unbelievable,"
"Haha, dat's all I wanna know. You know I'm happy foah youse two," Spot nodded.
"Did ya get enough money foah hoir present? Da boithday's in two days," Suddenly a look of realization showed up on the Brooklyn newsie leader's face, which then turned into guilt. Jack smiled, then pulled out a wad of money from his pocket and pressed the bills into Spot's hand, who looked at it in disbelief.
"Cowboy, I can't take dis money…"
"Come on, it's not youah fault dat ya didn't earn enough in so little time, and you was thinkin too much about Bristles, I undastand, look, jus take da money. Everyone chipped in a little, so dey got enough left foah der own presents. I hoird about da paintset from Blink and Sunny, dis should be enough foah it. Let's just say it's for congratulating youse two's beautiful relationship," Jack grinned at how touched Spot looked.
"And don't you start cryin on me,"
The two newsies laughed, spitshook, then headed back inside.
"I really owe ya, Cowboy,"
"Don't mention it,"
